government

Global anti-money laundering watchdog the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) said on June 28, 2024 it had added Monaco to a "grey list" of countries subject to increased monitoring. Credit: Valery HACHE / AFP

Global watchdog adds Monaco to money laundering 'grey list'

Jamaica and Turkey were removed from the FATF's grey list

June 28, 2024| AFP
Over 190,000 people received social security benefits in 2022, the NSO said. File photo: Chris Sant Fournier.

More than a third of the population receives social security benefits

Claimants received almost €6,000 on average

June 28, 2024| James Cummings
Times of Malta file photo.

Today's front pages – June 27, 2024

The top stories in Malta's newspapers

June 27, 2024| Times of Malta
The PN has urged public officers to go about their duties fairly, without bowing to undue pressures.

PN underlines president's remarks on the public service

The public service is one of the guardians of good governance

June 26, 2024| Times of Malta
Colonel Mark Mallia will be the new OPM Head of Secretariat. File photo.

Four roles in six months: Who is Mark Mallia, the PM's new Head of Secretariat?

Former army colonel could be a bridge builder between Muscat and Abela

June 26, 2024| Neville Borg
Mark Mallia (Left: file photo by Karl Andrew Micallef) replaces Glenn Micallef (right) who held the role since November 2020. Photo: Facebook/Glenn Micallef

PM's chief of staff Glenn Micallef resigns, replaced by Mark Mallia

Mallia swaps Transport Malta for OPM, with Micallef rumoured to be Brussels-bound

June 26, 2024| Mark Laurence Zammit, Daniel Ellul
The Australian citizen leaked US national security secrets in 2010. On Tuesday, the WikiLeaks founder walked free for the first time in 12 years after a US judge signed off on a plea deal. File photo: AFP

How the US and Assange reached a plea deal - and what it means

After more than 13 years in England, including five years in prison, Julian Assange has pleaded guilty

June 26, 2024| AFP
38,267 cheques with a total value of €4,039,320 were not cashed.

€4m in 'tax refund' cheques sent last year remain uncashed

38,267 cheques were not cashed

June 25, 2024| Times of Malta
President Myriam Spiteri Debono speaking at the Public Services Awards ceremony.

'Civil servants must be firm when decisions are not in national interest'

President Myriam Spiteri Debono praises civil servants at Public Service awards

June 24, 2024| Times of Malta
A handout picture taken and released by the BBC on June 23, 2024, shows Britain's Home Secretary James Cleverly appearing on the BBC's "Sunday Morning" political television show with journalist Laura Kuenssberg. Photo: AFP

Aide to UK minister calls Rwanda migrant plan 'crap' in leaked audio

Cleverly tells BBC aide called policy 'crap' for effect

June 23, 2024| AFP
Jason Azzopardi (left, file photo: Matthew Mirabelli) is representing Roger Agius (right), seen here speaking on the radio show on Saturday.

'Blatant lie': OPM on social benefits fraud claims by one of alleged ringleaders

Roger Agius claims OPM offered protection if he fired Jason Azzopardi

June 23, 2024| Times of Malta
Excavation of the area where the plant will be built in Magħtab is already well under way. Photo: Wasteserv

Wasteserv: Court did not find fault with way we awarded waste-to-energy tender

Company reacts to media reports after court annulled €600m tender decision

June 22, 2024| Times of Malta
The Office of the Prime Minister in Valletta. The Malta Chamber said it senses a lack of urgency in tackling procurement issues. Photo: Shutterstock

Malta Chamber: 'Amateur' public procurement needs major reform

Business lobby notes that it has been calling for dramatic changes for three years

June 22, 2024| Times of Malta
Edward Zammit Lewis. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Edward Zammit Lewis to be nominated as EU court judge: sources

Former minister and Labour MP poised to swap parliament benches for judicial one

June 19, 2024| Times of Malta
Teachers' pay talks have not resumed, the MUT has complained. Photo: Shutterstock.com

Third time lucky? MUT again calls for talks on teachers' pay to resume

The process of renewing the sectoral agreement started in December 2022

June 19, 2024| Times of Malta
The European Commission has warned eight countries including Malta over their excessive deficit.

EU warns Malta over excessive deficit, urged to cut subsidies

Malta urged to address skills shortage, traffic congestion

June 19, 2024| Times of Malta
Screengrab from the video. Photo: Is-Servizz Pubbliku Facebook page

Public service promotion video cost €19,550

Actors in video refer to public services and government initiatives such as those dished out to parents and the elderly

June 12, 2024| Sarah Carabott
Alfred Sant said a demonstration held in support of Joseph Muscat undermined Labour during its European election campaign. Photos: Chris Sant Fournier/Matthew Mirabelli

‘Joseph Muscat court protest undermined Labour’ – Alfred Sant

Ex-PL leader says clientelism is ineffective and counterproductive

June 12, 2024| Mark Laurence Zammit
In a democratic society, the press has the role of ‘public watchdog’, informing the people on matters of public interest. Photo: EC - Audiovisual Service

Editorial: A boost to the Fourth Estate

Whistleblower’s Act still leaves a lot to be desired and without such protection, sources risk being deterred from helping the press

June 12, 2024| Times of Malta
Prime Minister Robert Abela and President Myriam Spiteri Debono. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Powerless president, powerful cabinet

Interpreting the constitution on the president’s prerogative of mercy

June 4, 2024| Kevin Aquilina
Government debt jumped by almost 9% last year. File photo: Matthew Mirabelli.

Government debt grows to €9.8 billion, but shrinks as percentage of GDP

Debt grows by €800 million in a year

June 3, 2024| James Cummings
A protest organised by self-employed taxi drivers on Monday was cancelled at the eleventh hour after an agreement was reached by the Light Passenger Operators Association and Ministry. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Cab drivers' protest cancelled as agreement reached at eleventh hour

Light Passenger Operators Association planned on protesting 'injustices' on Monday

June 3, 2024| Giulia Magri
Cleaners and carers are among those contracted by outsourcing agencies. File photo: Times of Malta

Temping, outsourcing agencies to ensure equal pay for equal work as of 2025

Legal notice to be published in Government Gazette on June 4

June 3, 2024| Claudia Calleja
One measure set to begin operating in the “coming weeks” is a telemedicine hotline. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

This is Mater Dei's plan to reduce emergency waiting time and increase beds

Plans to outsource certain MDH services to St Luke’s Hospital

May 30, 2024| Daniel Ellul
Election season has brought with it a whole raft of projects and promises. Cover design: Karl Andrew Micallef

Malta’s pre-election goodies: new projects, schemes, investments... and vouchers

Government announcements double as election looms

May 27, 2024| Neville Borg
Miriam Dalli said her intentions are to serve the Maltese people and implement policies that benefit Malta. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Miriam Dalli dismisses ‘speculation’, tells critics ‘nothing can humiliate me’

Labour Party insiders have said the energy minister is ‘best placed’ to replace Chris Fearne as EU Commissioner

May 24, 2024| Daniel Ellul
A relative of a victim wears a t-shirt reading "Infected blood, died without justice" as she stands outside Westminster, in central London, on May 20, 2024 during the Infected Blood Inquiry final report. Photo: AFP

UK PM sorry for institutional cover-up in infected blood scandal

Over 30,000 people were infected with HIV, hepatitis between 1970s and 1990s

May 20, 2024| AFP
Jo Etienne Abela said staff will move with clients and there will not be changes to their salaries or working conditions. Photo: Jonathan Borg.

Mount Carmel starts closing down: first 100 patients relocated 'within weeks'

Health Minister plans to close down psychiatric hospital within four years

May 20, 2024| Mark Laurence Zammit
Talks on a collective agreement for educators have been ongoing since December 2022. File photo: Times of Malta

'Postpone teachers' pay discussions for after elections', employers urge

Party in government in a much weaker bargaining position to negotiate when in election mode: Malta Employers’ Association

May 20, 2024| Times of Malta
Robert Abela was on the campaign trail in Żurrieq on Sunday morning. Photo: PL

Plans for Mqabba asphalt plant scrapped, Robert Abela announces

'We cannot accept that the asphalt and tarmac industry inches any closer to residents,' the prime minister tells supporters

May 19, 2024| Mark Laurence Zammit